Download 6.2 Connecting Ideas Using Subordination

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6.1 Connecting Ideas Using Coordination
Coordination is used to connect two ideas that are equally important. Each idea is expressed in a
main clause, and the coordinating word comes before the second clause. (A main clause has a
subject and a verb. Review chapters One and Two if you are unsure about what a clause is.)
main clause
comma + coordinating word
main clause
Example: Each idea is expressed in a main clause, and the coordinating word comes before the
second clause.
Chart 6.1
The Meanings of Coordinating Words
Coordinating word
Meaning
and
but, yet
or
so
for
addition of equally important idea
contrast of equally important ideas
choice between two equally important ideas
second clause is the result of the first
second clause is the cause of the first
Exercise 2: Identifying coordinating words and logical relationships
This exercise is based on Adam Liptak’s “Supreme Court to Rule on Executing Young Killers.”
Directions: Circle the coordinating word and identify the relationship it expresses in the following
sentences:
1. Robert Acuna was very nonchalant, and he laughed at inappropriate things.
Logical relationship:
2. His behavior alienated the jury, but he may not have understood what was happening.
Logical relationship:
3. Does the small number of juveniles sentenced to Death Row show that the system is working, or
does it show that the punishment is cruel and unusual?
Logical relationship:
4. Jurors may not believe research about teenage brains, so they may feel that juveniles should be
sentenced like adults.
Logical relationship:
6.2 Connecting Ideas Using Subordination
Every sentence must have a main clause; however, some sentences also have a clause that
depends on the main clause to form a complete sentence. This clause is called a subordinate clause
and begins with a subordinating word.
Chart 6.2A
Expressing Logical Relationships with Subordination
Reason: because, since
Time: when, after, while, before, since, as soon as, once, until, whenever
Concession/Contrast: although, though, even though, while
Condition: if, when(ever), unless, otherwise
Result/Purpose: so . . . that, so that, in order that
Example
main clause
subordinating word
subordinate clause
The main clause can stand alone while the subordinate clause must be connected to another clause.
The logical relationship between these two clauses is contrast.
Chart 6.2B
Punctuating Sentences with Subordinate Clauses
Subordinate Clause
Main Clause
Because
Since . . .
While . . .
When . . .
Although . . .
S + V + (Object)
S + V + (Object) ,
,
,
,
,
Main Clause
Subordinate Clause
S + V + (Object)
because . . .
since . . .
while . . .
when . . .
although . . .
If the subordinate clause comes first, it is always followed by a comma. If the main clause comes first,
no comma is needed.
Exercise 3: Identifying subordinating words and logical relationships
This exercise is based on Adam Liptak’s “Supreme Court to Rule on Executing Young Killers.”
Directions: Circle the subordinating word and identify the relationship it expresses in the following
sentences.
1. Whenever a teenager commits a brutal crime, it attracts great publicity.
Logical relationship:
2. Justice Scalia argued for leaving the decision to juries so that the worst of the worst would
receive the death penalty.
Logical relationship:
3. Since age can shape every aspect of a capital case, questions are raised about how reliable and
consistent jurors have been.
Logical relationship:
4. Jurors observe juvenile offenders closely so that they can draw conclusions about their guilt.
Logical relationship:
5. Although some jurors believe that adolescents have diminished responsibility, others view them
as a terrible danger to society.
Logical relationship:
6. When Acuna was in front of the jury, he was nonchalant and laughed at inappropriate things.
Logical relationship:
Problems with subordination
Because/Because of
Because introduces a subordinate clause; because of introduces a noun phrase.
Subordinate Clause: Because Mr. Acuna looked tough, the jury thought he was guilty.
Noun Phrase: He was convicted because of his age.
While
While can refer to time and mean during; while can also express contrast and mean although.
Time: While Mr. Acuna was on trial, his lawyer tried to make him look young.
Contrast: While some jurors believe juveniles should be treated leniently, others believe they should
be sentenced like adults.
Since
Since can refer to a particular time in the past; since can express a reason and mean because.
Time: Two years had passed since Simmons had committed the crime.
Reason: The prosecutor said that Christopher Simmons should be sentenced as an adult since he
brutally murdered an elderly couple.
Even though/Even
Even though expresses concession and means the same as although. Even is a modifier and is used
to emphasize that something is surprising or unexpected. It is followed by a noun phrase.
Concession: Even though Tate was not an adult, the prosecutor argued that he should be sentenced
as one.
Emphasis: Even the most liberal juror might be influenced by the brutality of the crime.
Although/But
Although is a subordinating word that expresses concession. But is a coordinating word that
expresses opposition or contrast. They cannot both be used in the same sentence.
Concession: Although Nathaniel Brazill was only fourteen years old, he was found guilty of seconddegree murder.
Contrast: Nathaniel Brazill was only fourteen years old, but he was found guilty of second-degree
murder.
Incorrect: Although Nathaniel Brazill was only fourteen years old, but he was found guilty of seconddegree murder.
6.3 Connecting Ideas Using Transitions
Transitions, like coordinating words, are used to connect ideas that are of equal importance. They join
two separate sentences; therefore, either a semicolon or a period must be used at the end of the first
sentence. Place the transition at the beginning of the second sentence and always place a comma
after the transition.
Example
sentence
semicolon
transition + comma
sentence
They join two separate sentences; therefore, either a semicolon or a period must be used at the end
of the first sentence.
Exercise 4: Identifying transitions and logical relationships
This exercise is based on Marjie Lundstrom’s “Kids Are Kids—Until They Commit Crimes.”
Directions: Circle the transition and identify the relationship it expresses in the following sentences.
1. Lionel Tate is only fourteen; however, he might be sentenced to life in prison.
Logical relationship:
The first statement makes a contrast to the statement in the second clause. (Both are main
clauses.)
2. Teenagers under eighteen are not allowed to smoke, drink, or vote; nevertheless, we are eager
to try and sentence them as adults when they commit crimes.
Logical relationship:
3. We don’t really believe that fourteen-year-olds are adults; otherwise, we would let them vote.
Logical relationship:
4. We’ve created an image that teenagers should be feared; meanwhile, juvenile crime is way
down.
Logical relationship:
5. Statistics do not bear out the hysteria; for example, the juvenile arrest rate for murder fell
68 percent from 1993 to 1999.
Logical relationship: